Abstract

The results of a feasibility study conducted to determine the possibility of passively measuring the vertical profile of carbon monoxide in the troposphere on a global basis are presented. The instrument considered is a nadir-viewing gas correlation filter radiometer (GCFR). The basic instrument concept and radiative transfer equations are presented. The calculated signal functions, signal levels, sensitivity, and system noise levels of a spaceborne GCFR instrument are presented and discussed. It is concluded that a three- or four-level measurement of the atmospheric carbon monoxide mixing ratio in the troposphere is possible with this type of instrument.